Abstract |
Dinoseb, 2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (DNBP), is poorly soluble in water (0.52 g/L) but is readily soluble in alcohol and other organic solvents. DNBP is often used in salt form as both a pre- and postemergence herbicide for a wide variety of crops. Dinoseb has been found to be teratogenic in several species including rabbits, rats, and mice following oral, dermal, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous administration to pregnant animals. The teratogenic effects noted in mice following intraperitoneal administration of dinoseb are diminished by its metabolism. Compounds that stimulate drug metabolism (such as phenobarbital) have been shown to decrease dinoseb toxicity. Conversely, inhibitors of drug metabolism (such as SKF-525A) potentiate dinoseb-induced teratogenicity. No calculation of excess cancer risk has been made, since only equivocal long-term effects of dinoseb carcinogenicity have been reported. |